A fatal shooting at the Kenridge Apartments has exposed the owners to potential civil liability under negligent security laws.
Multiple suspects broke into a home at the Kenridge Apartments in DeKalb County and shot two men. Police arrived at the scene where they found one man already deceased from his gunshot wound. A second man was transported to the hospital.
The medical examiner’s office identified the deceased as 28-year-old, Charles Johnson. According to police investigators, the second victim managed to reach a nearby relative’s home, where he was found and taken to the hospital.
No suspects have been identified, but investigators are asking for anyone with more information to step forward.
Under Georgia law, property owners must take reasonable steps to ensure safety when there’s a foreseeable risk of criminal activity on their premises. These steps can include installing visible security cameras, hiring on-site personnel, and using access-controlled gates. Other measures, like adding perimeter fencing or guard stations at entrances, may also be necessary.
Complying with these legal requirements isn’t just a box to check—it’s a shield against violent crime and a lifeline for the residents who call these complexes home. It's crucial that property owners and managers understand their legal responsibilities and proactively implement recommended security measures to create a safer environment for their communities.
In May 2022, a man was shot at or near the Kenridge Apartments and taken to the hospital. In April 2012, another man was shot and killed inside his apartment at the complex.
Online Reviews indicate a lack of response from the property managers to residents’ concerns as well as issues with violence on the property.
“People shooting their guns every other night,” warns one reviewer. Adding, “they are dangerous with home and car break-ins all the time. Another resident says, ”This is a horrible place to live” stating there are “people shooting and young boys with guns just walking up and down.”
Will the family of the shooting victim at the Kenridge Apartments find justice by holding the owners accountable for negligent security?
In Georgia, property owners are bound by law to implement adequate security measures to deter crime. Yet, when landlords and property managers neglect this responsibility, they risk perpetuating a dangerous cycle of violence that endangers their communities.
Law enforcement may apprehend criminals and seek justice, but they cannot force property owners to improve security or compensate grieving families. That power lies solely in the hands of survivors and the families of victims, who can pursue civil lawsuits against negligent property owners. While no court ruling can erase the pain of violent crime, a civil judgment can provide vital financial relief—covering medical bills, lost income, and other burdens that weigh heavily on victims and their families.
Beyond aiding recovery, substantial financial penalties send a clear message: safety cannot be an afterthought. When faced with the cost of inaction, property owners are often compelled to invest in meaningful security measures, creating safer environments and breaking the cycle of violence once and for all.
Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.